Simi Valley church to host film, discussion about transgendered people

"Call Me Malcolm," a film about transgender people, will be screened Thursday at United Church of Christ in Simi Valley.

A community forum will follow the film.

"There are many stories to be told, and Malcolm helps us make connections to our own stories, encouraging us to share them," said June Goudey, pastor at United Church of Christ, which is co-sponsoring the event with the Simi Valley chapter of Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

Malcolm's story shows how shame and fear are overcome by grace, compassion and knowledge, said Goudey, who will moderate the discussion after the film.

"Viewers cannot help but come to a deeper understanding of faith, love, and gender identity and by doing so arrive at a deeper understanding of their own journey," she said.

The film centers on the Rev. Malcolm Himschoot, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.

"Many people don't understand the term, and this film tries to explain," said Patti Martin, president of the Simi Valley chapter of PFLAG.

Someone who is transgender has a personal idea of gender that does not correlate with the gender with which the person was born.

"We have had a growing number of transgender people attending our meetings, and there are always a lot of questions as to what transgender means," Martin said. "Our goal is that people who attend will come away with a better understanding and compassion for people's differences."

Because of discrimination against transgender people, society must understand and support such people more, Goudey said.

"In 2012, 265 individuals died because they were transgender," said Goudey. "My hope is that all who attend will come away with a greater understanding of the discrimination faced by transgendered individuals and a greater sense of compassion toward them."

Martin said the Simi Valley chapter of PFLAG has a support group on the third Thursday of each month at United Church of Christ that's open to anyone who needs support.

"Our meetings have included young teenagers who have been kicked out of their homes when they told their parents they were gay, lesbians, gays, transgenders, transsexuals; parents; friends; and grandparents," Martin said.

Flo Trapani, treasurer of the Simi Valley chapter of PFLAG, hopes screening the film will educate the public and open the lines of communication.

"There are so many people and their families that are part of the transgender community now," Trapani said.

Basic human rights are important always, said Elaine Lin, secretary of the group.

"We are hoping the film brings about a better understanding of the transgender community with hopes to foster a more inclusive society," Lin said.